A pulsating game, with many rain interruptions, saw Rowledge get over the line and confine Hambledon to the relegation zone with seven matches left to play.
The hosts won the toss and put the visitors into bat.
Hambledon openers Chris Pratt and George Marshall put Rowledge to the sword early on and put on 95 in 15 overs, with Pratt particularly harsh on anything short. Marshall (26) was bowled by Will Ryman, but Hambledon’s overseas player Justin Behrens continued the assault to put the visitors in a strong position.
When Pratt (65) and Behrens (36) both fell the run rate slowed and Rowledge gained some control. The spin attack of Ollie Baker, Connor Cook and Max Martin put the squeeze on and stopped the visitors’ momentum.
However, a late run blast from Hambledon’s Jonty Oliver and Henry Glanfield saw the visitors to a very healthy 252 for six, with Will Ryman (three for 49) and Baker (two for 37) taking the wickets.
On a track which was green but with plenty of bounce and pace, the home side seemed to have their work cut out to achieve a win, although the howling wind did not do the bowlers any favours.
The home side started their run chase solidly until opener Martin was bowled by Dan Mugford. Jontie Sebborn (57) looked in fine form after three weeks away, and partnerships with Ricky Yates and Zac Le Roux saw the total reach 110 for three when Sebborn was caught on the boundary off spinner Oliver.
Hugh Croft joined Le Roux and steadily saw the hosts to 125 for three at the halfway stage, but with continuous rain stoppages the target was reduced to 241 off 46 overs.
Rowledge kept up with the run rate by running plenty of ones and twos and hitting the occasional boundary.
Two quick wickets set Rowledge back, and when Will Ryman fell to an excellent catch, the game was in the balance. Baker took up the responsibility and started to assert his batting on the bowlers, and with 15-year-old Joe Ryman in support the pair got the run chase down to 61 runs off nine overs.
The large, cold crowd cowering from the wind and rain in the pavilion were treated to a masterclass in how to bat positively under pressure as Baker produced shots all round the ground to get Rowledge to within ten runs with only one over left to bowl.
A ramped four off the first ball of the last over put the pressure back on opening bowler James Restell as noise levels started to rise.
A combination of singles and dot balls from the next four balls meant two runs were needed off the last ball to win.
A mistimed drive to mid-off had both batters scrambling for a single, but the fielder throwing in saw the bowler fumble the return and Baker (45 not out) returned for a two to secure the game.
Credit went to both teams for fielding in the windy and wet conditions, and the umpires for completing the game.
The win saw Rowledge climb a place to seventh and increase the gap to ninth-placed Hambledon.
Rowledge Cricket Club’s president’s day will be held on Sunday, and for the second successive year the club will host a county disability match.
The 1pm match will be between Surrey and Hampshire second teams.
The Surrey Disability Cricket Roadshow coaches will offer free coaching from 10.30am to 11.30am. All junior and youth players welcome.